The overstatement understatement have been perfected by teenagers. Lifting it out of Comedy into Middle or High Comedy requires some smarts. Here Barry uses incomparable comparisons, drawing a parallel between massive human tragedy and a light-hearted spring dance. That wasn’t enough, though. Nothing good happens in Stephen King novels–which gets us eagerly anticipating “what happensContinue reading “Comparing Incomparables”
Category Archives: Middle Grade
“Both legs were hanging down his back”
Bumbling crooks have long been a part of comedy. Two of the most iconic are probably Harry and Marv from the Home Alone movies. Yes, they’re dangerous, but they’re also dumb enough to for us (and Kevin) to stay one step ahead of them. Dave Barry offers two comparable crooks, Snake & Eddie, in BigContinue reading ““Both legs were hanging down his back””
“Oh, he’s fine…He’s a teenager.”
The response to “He’s fine…he’s a teenager” is “I’m sorry.” Those were some of the best and worst times . . . and as parents, we know there are some touch and go moments with teens in the house! Dave Barry’s line, “I’m sorry,” touches on some deeper reality, the heartfelt love and compassion foundContinue reading ““Oh, he’s fine…He’s a teenager.””
“And the intelligence of . . . “
One of my all time favorite descriptions of a dog was reading Patrick F. McManus’ description of the mangy family dog’s antics outside the dining room window while the family ate with their invited guest, the parish priest. I recall tears streaming down my face & I believe I was asked to leave the classroom.Continue reading ““And the intelligence of . . . “”
How loud is “loud enough to stun cattle?” And who would want to?
Exaggeration and Incongruity play an important part in writing funny. With this simple line, Dave Barry tells us about the character–whom we’ve all had pull up next to us in traffic–and he takes it to another humorous level. Sound systems and Stunning Cattle aren’t generally paired. With the right set-up, it’s a bizzarre exaggeration thatContinue reading “How loud is “loud enough to stun cattle?” And who would want to?”
“He had a nice efficient swing.”
When I taught film and theater, we spent considerable time evaluating, writing, and producing laughs using the “7 Causes of Laughter.” (You can find other sites and sources that will tell you there are six, or ten. I chose seven because it’s a nice even number.) Every list includes Exaggeration, Ambiguity, Recognition, and every juniorContinue reading ““He had a nice efficient swing.””
SRG is now available through Sammy’s Bookshelf in Little Rock, Arkansas!
A HUGE thank you to Lisa and Sammy’s Bookshelf in Little Rock, Arkansas for adding Suddenly Rural Girl to their inventory! If you live in the area or know folks who do, Checkout Sammy’s Pop-Up Bookstores this summer! (We gotta support all local businesses–including those Indie Bookstores.) Suddenly Rural Girl is available lots of places,Continue reading “SRG is now available through Sammy’s Bookshelf in Little Rock, Arkansas!”
SRG is now available in Ketchikan, Alaska at Parnassus Books!
We’ve been blessed again! Thank you Parnassus Books in beautiful Ketchikan, Alaska for adding Suddenly Rural Girl to their inventory! If you live in the area or know folks who do, please stop by this great little Indie Bookstore! (We gotta support all local businesses–including those Indie Bookstores.) Suddenly Rural Girl is available lots ofContinue reading “SRG is now available in Ketchikan, Alaska at Parnassus Books!”
SRG is now available in St. George, Utah at the Book Bungalow!
A HUGE thank you to The Book Bungalow in St. George, Utah, for adding Suddenly Rural Girl to their inventory! If you live in the area or know folks who do, please stop by and spread the word! (We gotta support all local businesses–including those mom & pop Indie Bookstores!) Suddenly Rural Girl is availableContinue reading “SRG is now available in St. George, Utah at the Book Bungalow!”
Join Dann & Kennedy for an Author Talk & Booksigning in Watertown, MN this Saturday at 10am!
Kennedy and I are excited for our next Author Talk & Book Signing at Hearthside Books, in Watertown, MN . . . just 40 minutes west of Minneapolis! We’ll share our writing process, our favorite passages from Suddenly Rural Girl, and we’ll lead attendees through a short character-driven writing exercise. Book signing & Q&A rightContinue reading “Join Dann & Kennedy for an Author Talk & Booksigning in Watertown, MN this Saturday at 10am!”
SRG is now available in Cheyenne, Wyoming at Bonsai Books!
A HUGE thank you to Bonsai Books in Cheyenne, Wyoming for adding Suddenly Rural Girl to their inventory! If you live in the area or know folks who do, please stop by this great little Indie Bookstore! (We gotta support all local businesses–including those Indie Bookstores.) Suddenly Rural Girl is available lots of places, includingContinue reading “SRG is now available in Cheyenne, Wyoming at Bonsai Books!”
Once Upon a Trapeze in Buena Vista, Colorado is now carrying SRG!
This cute little bookstore, Once Upon a Trapeze, in beautiful Buena Vista, Colorado is now carrying Suddenly Rural Girl! A Huge thanks to Carol and the Team . . . and if you live in the area–or know those who do–please encourage them to stop by Once Upon a Trapeze! Suddenly Rural Girl is availableContinue reading “Once Upon a Trapeze in Buena Vista, Colorado is now carrying SRG!”